Neil Chang-Hall Hits Luis Garcia in Greenacres, Florida Car Accident

Neil Chang-Hall struck Luis Garcia in a Greenacres, Florida car accident yesterday, injuring him, according to news reports. Chang-Hall was subsequently charged with leaving the scene of an accident with serious injuries and fleeing and eluding police, sources indicate. Meanwhile, Garcia, who was hit while walking, is reportedly in stable condition at Delray Medical Center. It is not clear whether Chang-Hall, who was likely booked into Palm Beach County Jail on the charges, has qualified for bail bond or retained a private criminal defense lawyer.

Accoording to news sources, the collision occurred at approximately 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday at the intersection of South Jog Road and 10th Avenue North in Greenacres, Florida. Garcia, 48, was reportedly on foot in the area when Chang-Hall, 20, struck him with a Lexus. Chang-Hall then allegedly fled the area, only to be apprehended a short time later.

It is not clear what caused the accident, whether an error on Chang-Hall’s part, a failure to use a crosswalk, or some other factor. It is not known whether investigators suspect that Chang-Hall may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. Chang-Hall has not been charged with reckless driving or other allegations pertaining to the actual crash, only to his alleged actions afterwards.

Another single-vehicle traffic accident on Tuesday nearly claimed the lives of two people, sources indicate. Santeena Spates, 31, and Carlton Francis Jr., 29, were traveling on Interstate 95 were reportedly surprised when a metal pole flew through the windshield of their vehicle. The pair was reportedly not seriously hurt, although they were taken to Memorial Regional Hospital and treated for minor injuries from the shattered glass of the windshield following the accident.

The Florida Highway Patrol reportedly stated that Spates was driving the Range Rover down Interstate 95 near Griffin Road when the pole, which is almost six feet long, flew from the roadway up into the air and through the windshield of the vehicle. The pole reportedly missed the driver and passenger completely, landing in the car between the two persons instead. “They were extremely lucky that it didn’t come straight at them. It was at enough of an angle that it came across the windshield, so they were extremely lucky,” a Florida Highway Patrol spokesperson was quoted as saying following the accident.
The pole, which may have been part of a pickup vent cover, was reportedly on the highway before it was disturbed by a passing vehicle. “The debris was already broken up across the southbound lanes. At some point, another vehicle drove over a piece of the debris. The debris flew up and entered the windshield, as you saw,” the FHP deputy was quoted as saying. It is not clear whether the owner of the pole could be cited or crimally charged if he or she is found. The Florida Highway Patrol encouraged drivers to stay aware and to avoid debris on the road whenever possible in order to avoid such accidents from occuring in the future.